In the past year three health technology specific incubators have popped up. Rockhealth in San Francisco has been the most “in your face” promoting a message of outsiders coming into health care with mostly consumer-focused start-ups But the Mid-West and East Coast aren’t being left out. Recruiting later this year, Blueprint in New York has a tad more of a provider focus. But right now it’s the turn of HealthBox, the incubator from Sandbox Industries which runs the Blues venture fund. And with both their plan connections and their slightly higher level of investment, they should tempt a good group to move to Chicago for that cold winter!--Matthew Holt
Startup incubator Healthbox has entered its final week of applications, with the three-month program set to kick off in January with a class of ten teams. Submissions have already come in from 20 states and 4 countries, and include companies focused on provider workflow, consumer health, informatics, pharmacy and a number of other concentrations. Applications close October 16th and selected participants will be announced in December.
Healthbox provides a boost to healthcare technology startups through an intensive three-month program that offers participants $50,000 in seed capital, relevant topical forums, and access to a broad group of mentors, including successful industry leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs. Founded by Chicago-based VC and incubation firm Sandbox Industries, Healthbox is supported by some big players in healthcare, including BlueCross BlueShield, Walgreen Co., the California HealthCare Foundation and Merrick Ventures, to name a few. The program will culminate with an Investor Day in April 2012, during which each company will pitch to a large group of potential investors.
“We are thrilled to partner with Healthbox on this exciting endeavor,” says Paul Brown, Managing Director of BlueCross BlueShield Ventures I and II. “We see the program as a valuable conduit into the next generation of healthcare startups that are bringing innovative solutions to the marketplace.”
Healthbox founder Nina Nashif adds, “Given the dynamics of the industry, building a healthcare technology startup poses a lot of challenges. The market needs a platform that provides critical support for early-stage healthcare companies.”
Applications close October 16th, and are available on the Healthbox website.
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